A day trip to the Isle of Gigha
Visit the famous Achamore Gardens and dine at the The Boathouse.
We are the perfect base from which to Explore Kintyre and Gigha with all locations about an hour away, if not less.
And when you’re talking about Kintyre, it’s such a remote location, staying with us gives you that freedom to explore and that Wee Toon vibe.
For a trip that’s a little out of the ordinary, do something extraordinary! Slip across to God’s Isle, the wonderful Isle of Gigha, and soak in the views and the experience.
To get there, take the Calmac ferry from Tayinloan. These run frequently on a turn up and go basis. There’s a car park at the ferry terminal in Tayinloan where you’ll also find Big Jessie’s Tearoom if you fancy a snack while waiting.
Tayinloan is about 30 minutes drive from Campbeltown along the A83 northbound and about 40 minutes from Carradale via the B842 northbound then the A83.
We went there in late 2020 just before a lockdown and the darker days were already looming, I absolutely promise to take more and better photos for you soon, including some of the amazing beaches there. You must see them when you visit!
*Edit 2021: We went back and have updated some photo’s!
Ferry
The ferry journey only costs a few quid and took about twenty minutes, you pay on the ferry and they take both cash and card. We left our car behind in the car park because Gigha is a tiny island with only one road really, so we didn’t see the need for a car. The timetable for the ferry is here: https://www.calmac.co.uk/summer-timetables/Tayinloan-Gigha
The Boathouse
We’d booked a table at The Boathouse restaurant as we’d a birthday to celebrate and weren’t disappointed. The menu was mouth-watering, and we couldn’t wait to try the quality Scottish seafood! I went for the Cullen Skink and Fish Curry, both were delightful! Be sure to ask for the specials and excite your palate!
Achamore Gardens
A short distance walk away, around a mile south, we visited Achamore Gardens. This was filled with an absolutely abundant array of plants and trees. Being on the gulf stream, the climate in Kintyre is a lot better than people expect. Add a little shelter and it’s ideal to cultivate a wide variety of unusual plants from around the world. We spent hours walking around and the kids loved the bamboo maze. We’re planning to visit again summer 2021! Update: We did, several times, and have updated the gallery a bit!
Golf
I don’t play golf, which is a shame because there’re six golf courses in Kintyre, the sixth being the one on the Isle of Gigha with amazing views, nine holes, three par 3s and some testing par 4s.
There’s more on the island I haven’t mentioned so why not plan a visit while you’re in Kintyre and see the rest?
“Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly”
– Van Morrison
I hope that’s whet your appetite for an interesting day out that your friends will love to hear about! The scenery is stunning, the ferry journey exhilarating and the food an absolute delight.
